What the Pho!

I finally did it. I had my Pho experience. 

Pho is apparently a type of noodle dish from Vietnam. Luckily, Alexis is part Vietnamese so she was able to order in the native tongue... Wow! 

My friend became foreign in a matter of seconds! She spoke the words so Asian-like... I was confused at first but then became very impressed.  I always knew she was Vietnamese, but to actually hear her speak the language.. Totally weird!

Our friends Jessica and Brittany tagged along for our little adventure too! 

Here is what we ordered: 

It was actually very good... For sure gonna have to go back there! 

So as we were waiting for our food I was telling the girls how much I love the Vietnamese accent (I hear it all the time in salons and they are so cute when they speak English.. I love their accent!)  I was trying to mimic the accent, but to my dismay, Alexis quickly shushed me because I could very possible "offend" someone. 

How can I offend someone by trying to sound like them because I love the way they sound?! 

After dinner we went next door and got boba! N

Boba is this type of fruit that is the size of a bean but it's squishy and fun to eat! It is very sweet and adds a whole new element to slushies, frapps, coffee and tea.  

Boba is used as a verb in our house.  

WE DO BOBA LIKE A BAD HABIT!

In the end, my tummy is satisfied and girls night is a success! 

Now it's time to sit back, undo my belt and sport my food baby.

Painter's Touch

Immortalizing my face
has always been a desire of mine.  Perhaps I can be made into a beautiful mermaid sculpture forever pouring water into a big city fountain, or a woman reading a book on a park bench, or maybe even have my face carved into a mountain side.

The other day my opportunity arrived for my immortalization to begin!

It was normal, lazy day in the California heat.  I just got to Walgreen's to begin my 8 hour shift when a booming voice seizes my attention -

"Hello, gorgeous!"

The man was middle aged, full head of gray hair and built like an aged athlete.

I proceed with my rehearsed Walgreen's rant,

"Welcome to Walgreen's, how can I help you be well today?"

The man wastes no time in his response,
"You are abslutely gorgeous..your eyes so bright and clear, your hair so vibrant. I tell you, I am an artist, a painter really, and I would love to make a portrait of you!"

[feeling creeped out, a little flattered, and kinda weird] I admitted that I was married and didn't think my husband would approve of another man painting my picture. How am I to know he isn't thinking of a Titanic type painting session!?

"Let me show you my work, " the man persists. As he pulls out his tablet I make big eyes to my boss and she looks creeped out too. When the man found his file of all his work he proudly hands it to me and smiles.



THEY WERE THE WORST PAINTINGS BY AN ADULT I HAD EVER SEEN! Lines were shaky and bodies were anatomically impossible - it was wierd! Was he going for the abstract look and just went overboard??

 

People....I'm talking not even fridge worthy! The type parents hide away in folders labelled "Learning to Paint." I couldn't contain myself; the smile crept across my face, the laughter choked me and I neary blurted unprofessional words... they looked that bad. 

The man started going on about how he is currently working on something for a friend. [FOR FREE I'M SURE] His pride was unbearable with the truth I had just uncovered.  I thought he was going to be my DiVinci, but in reality I probably wouldn't even let him paint my finger nails.

"Thanks, .....but I would rather not." <---- the only words I could form and say without laughing.

The man shrugged, expressed how he wasn't hitting on me, this was purely professional blah blah blah.  I left him with the notion that I would consult my husband and gave him the Walgreen's goodbye.

"Thank you for shopping Walgreen's, be well!"

Now, had this man actually had talent and skill, I may have had my face immortalized forever! My face, the next Mona Lisa; but sadly, he was just another "painter" trying to make it out in the big city of Los Angeles.

So now I wait...to one day be confronted with the one that will have the necessary tools to make my dream come true!


.....one day.

The Moving Sun

It was another day in Acting Land:
It was my day off
Geobert was hanging out with a friend
Alexis was off doing the nanny thing
Michael was bar tending his heart out at California Pizza Kitchen

Since it was my day off, I decided to go to the salon and get my hair done and a wax.. a $140 well spent I must say. I left the salon feeling clean, fresh, light and beautiful...how that would all change in a matter of 3 hours.

When I got home, Geobert immediately started studying my face.. my hair... my clothes.  He could sense that something was different, but he couldn't put his finger on it. I gave in to his curiosity and revealed I had colored and cut my hair. His eyes widened at the words and he ran off into his bedroom.  Some may find that weird and creepy... I find that dangerous because it means his twisted, creative mind is working. Turns out, I was right.  Apparently, he has been waiting for me to fix my hair all pretty-like so we could take some shots. For two and a half months he has been greeted by my dull, faded, dead, red hair. Now, it was lively and vibrant - just what he needed.

Geobert came rushing out the room with his professional camera and ordered Nate (his friend) to grab some more gear. He told me to change into a green shirt and meet him outside.

I complied.

After an hour of strange arm posing, staring into brightness, rolling in the grass, squeezing into bushes, Nate using his entire body to shade mine, grass migrating to unknown territories and weird looks from inquisitive neighbors- Geobert declared the sun was moving. Not the typical "setting" the sun does once a day, but rather a more jump-like motion.

THE SUN WAS MOVING

 

You heard it here first; on April 17, 2013, the sun was changing position spiratically in the sky.  Jumping about to spit the creative ability of man!  Also, the sun was too bright.  It was "brighter than normal" and causing all the pictures to be over exposed.

So after about a hundred frames... none were "usable," but I do think we got at least one good shot:

 

 

 

 

you be the judge.

My Situation

Here's the deal.
I live in an apartment with THREE aspiring actors.
Everyday is a new lesson on posing, voice "relaxation" and techniques on memorizing scripts.  What's the big deal you ask?? Here is the resume for the household and what I have to deal with:

• Nanny
• Producer
• Photographer
• Model
• Actor
• Bartender
• Server
• Pharmacy Technician
• Independent Avon rep.
• Fashion Blogger
• Screenplay Writer
• Small Group Leader
• Public Speaker
• Cinematographer
• Director
• Editor
• Musician

If you noticed, there in the middle of the list, is me, Haley. I'm your friendly neighborhood pharmacy tech (and hating every minute of it) and independent Avon sales rep. It's not that I hate being  a pharm tech necessarily, but people are mean. I have had grown men call me ugly names, money thrown in my face, and little old grandmas yell at me and walk away. Needless to say, I would rather spend my days supporting my husband, working out, hiking, helping in the church and cooking (hints the working out part).

Let's start with Resident #1:

This is Alexis (Jolé.)  Ain't she pretty!
Her resume: nanny, producer, writer, small group leader, actor, model, fashion blogger, screenplay writer and public speaker. She is married to Geobert and has been writing a screenplay for ,ohhh 5 years now. It's coming along great.. I think. Her biggest issue today - pumps or wedges? Shopping and wish-listing have become her hobbies lately as a result of her new fashion blog. Her goal for this year is to make a hefty income from her blog; otherwise, she is stuck nanny-ing until her and/or Geo make it in the industry.

Resident #2

This is Geobert.
His resume: producer, actor, editor, photographer, director, cinematographer, small group leader. Recently, he has been submitting himself on an acting website and making money by doing freelance work with photography and directing/producing. Don't let his exterior deceive you, it's his wife that lays down the law when it comes to making deals and handling projects. One day, mark my words, I will put some audio on here to let you in on some of their conversations - so funny!

Resident #3

 

This is Michael. 
His resume: bartender, actor, server, musician and my wonderful husband.
We got married on February 2, 2013 and moved out to LA so he could pursue his entertainment career. Sure, my parents thought I was crazy for marrying an aspiring actor who has a pretty decent demo CD. And sure, they thought the fact that neither of us has a stable income is risky; and yes!, they did try to talk us into staying in Nashville, but you know.... sometimes you just have to take risks. So far, things are going pretty great. He is networking and taking some classes, so things are looking promising!

Oh!...and then there's me.